Abstract [en]

Abstract

Background: Repeated movements and sustained postures in daily activity, work and in sports can influence the neuromusculoskeletal system. Repeated changes in posture and movement might cause local stress in the tissue. Adaptive effects in the mobility of the shoulder in tennis players and other overhead athletes are well documented in the literature. Research of trunk mobility and its effect on the shoulder is limited.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate trunk rotation, glenohumeral rotation and the correlation between trunk rotation and glenohumeral rotation in elite junior tennis players 16-19 years old. Secondly, to identify athletic adaptations in trunk rotation and glenohumeral rotation in elite junior tennis players.

Methods: Range of motion in the glenohumeral joint for internal and external rotation was measured with a clinometer on a smartphone. Range of motion for trunk rotation was measured with seated rotation test with a goniometer placed at T2. The participants were 32 elite junior tennis players and the control group was 30 elite junior soccer players aged 16-19 years old. Descriptive statistics for range of motion in shoulder and trunk rotation was presented. Differences between tennis players and control group were analyzed. Correlation between trunk rotation and internal and external rotation was analyzed.

Results: Trunk rotation to the non dominant side had lower scores in tennis players than in soccer players. No obvious correlation was detected between shoulder rotation and trunk rotation.

Tennis players had less internal rotation and total rotation range of motion (TROM) in their dominant arm compared to the control group. This reduction in internal rotation and TROM increased with age.

Conclusion: There are some indications for adaptive changes in tennis players with reduced trunk rotation to the non dominant side and reduced internal rotation in the dominant shoulder.